Public Engagement Liaison Officer

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) is a unique coalition of Atlantic Canadian organizations and individuals working on, or having an interest in, international development and cooperation issues, working together to achieve sustainable global development in a peaceful and healthy environment, with social justice, human dignity, and participation for all. ACIC supports its members in development and development education through collective leadership, networking, information, training and coordination, and represents their interests when dealing with government and others. We currently have 55 members, including national and grassroots organizations from across the Atlantic Provinces.

The project will involve a multifaceted community-based approach to
global justice, placing emphasis on the intersection between economic, social
and environmental approaches towards promoting sustainable and healthy
communities in Canada and Honduras.

Overseas, the project will involve managing the overall logistics and
coordination of the Friends of the Earth International Conference to be held in
Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2008. The assignment will depend on the close
collaboration with Madre Tierra's Executive Director, Dr. Juan Almendares. By
building networks and working in partnership with representatives from a
variety of Honduran Environmental non-governmental organizations, the project
aims to successfully oversee and administer a conference bringing together over
a thousand participants from all over the world.

In Canada
The young professional will be involved with staff and executive committees
and assist in the following ways:
- Network among ACIC members and other stakeholders and collaborate with
like-minded organizations;
- Plan and coordinate International Development Week activities across the
region to increase awareness and encourage action;
- Newsletter editing, layout, and publication; and
- Evaluate result of campaign and write recommendations for future work.

Overseas
The overseas component of the internship will assist with the coordination
and overall management of the conference. A key component of the intern's work
will be concerned with the transfer of skills and in building capacity through
the strengthening of a civil society organization. The intern will also support
and assist with the implementation of established projects in relation to the
improved food and water security, reforestation and the conservation of
biodiversity in rural communities in Honduras.
This will be achieved through the following activities:
- Networking among environmental and community organizations;
- Collaborating with the above groups to develop the key logistical
framework for the upcoming conference;
- Conducting community-based research into the impacts of biodiversity loss
and the introduction of genetically modified crops (GMOs);
- Conducting outreach concerning deforestation issues in Honduras; and,
- Developing public education materials related to the above topics with
local communities in different areas of Honduras.

Organisation d'accueil :

Madre Tierra

Détails au sujet de l'organisation d'accueil :

Madre Tierra is an affiliate of Friends of the Earth, Honduras. They are a multidisciplinary voluntary organization that works towards supporting the self-development and improvement of living conditions among marginalized communities in Honduras, focusing on aspects related to health, environment and human rights.